PA system for live "Acoustic" performance

[Performer001]

Hi, I perform as part of duo consisting of an electro-acoustic guitar and 1-2 vocals.

 

When we perform using a PA provided by the venue we'd put the microphones straight in and I'd mic up my guitar amp. (that just down to my personal prefferance). Now I've recently been looking into purchasing a sound system/PA to use when we perform in places that dont have one of their own.I dont know alot of indepth details when it comes to PA's and speakers and so I was hoping that I could get some good advice here on the best/ideal sound system for this type of live performance ("Acoustic" Duo).

 

More specifically, what wattage do you think we'd realistically need from a PA. I'd imagine we'd need the sound system for pubs, churches (weddings) function halls/rooms and outdoor/garden functions/events... places of that size and nature and I'm aware of how loud pub goers WILL talk so we're after a sound system that can adequitly fill these types of places with a nice clear sound (ofcourse). I dont want to spend alot of money on a system that offers SOOOO much wattage that we'll never need to use it all. We obvuisly dont want to deafen people but naturally we want to be heard loud and clear and comfortably. So if anyone has any useful advice on what wattage and/or type of PA system would be perfect/suitable for us, it'd be HUGLEY appreciated.

 

So far I've gathered that since we're an "acoustic" duo we dont need sub/woofers and that perhaps a pair of ACTIVE SPEAKERS and a small PASSIVE MIXER would be the ideal way for us to go. And ive been adviced about getting a system that offers sufficiant "head room" so that the speakers are comfortable with our output. But it's how much wattage we need for that, thats what im really not sure about.

[back_ache]

The wattage of a speaker though indicative will not tell you how loud a speaker will go, its all about the individual speakers efficiency and design.

 

Its kind of like why car shows go on about horse-power and 0-60 time, rather than engine size.

 

I would look for a plastic bodied speaker (to make it lighter and easier to carry) with a 12" speaker and a compression driver,I would pair it with a small format mixer that has a built in reverb (to add warmth to vocals), I would also mount the speakers on stands (to make the sound carry)

 

I would look to buy it all from a shop wear you can plug in and have play on it and be shown how to get the best from it, I would also recommend some kind of carrying cases for them to keep it all looking new!

[Dave SA]

For acoustic material you may like to try and find ply boxes as opposed to ABS / plastic. 9 times out of ten the sound is better with less effort (although there are great sounding plastic boxes out there.

 

You may want to think about adding a graphic eq to the setup too, in order to prevent any ''resonance'' and/or feedback issues with acoustic instruments. To tame these problems with a small mixers eq may be a sledgehammer to swat a fly. A graphic will give you precise and accurate control over problem frequencies.

 

I would suggest:

 

On a budget - http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/FBQ3102.aspx

Higher Fidelity - http://www.evansaudio.com/exhiresales.html

 

Evans audio are selling some of their bss graphic eq's, namely BSS OPAL fcs966 and BSS fcs960's. If you have a budget to stretch to that I would advise it. (Toward the bottom of the page)

 

Does anyone have any good recommendations of something the OP can look at online to give an idea of what to expect when demoing systems as advised above?

 

Dave.

 

EDIT: You probably also want to look at DI for the guitar as opposed to a seperate amp and mic. Not forgetting a monitor for you to hear your performance on stage.

[Doug Siddons]

Havea look at Fishman solo or anything by AER as a start, my personal set up for pubs ect is Mixwiz with a a pair of HZ Z500 fullrange speakers.

[Performer001]

The wattage of a speaker though indicative will not tell you how loud a speaker will go, its all about the individual speakers efficiency and design.

 

Its kind of like why car shows go on about horse-power and 0-60 time, rather than engine size.

 

I would look for a plastic bodied speaker (to make it lighter and easier to carry) with a 12" speaker and a compression driver,I would pair it with a small format mixer that has a built in reverb (to add warmth to vocals), I would also mount the speakers on stands (to make the sound carry)

 

I would look to buy it all from a shop wear you can plug in and have play on it and be shown how to get the best from it, I would also recommend some kind of carrying cases for them to keep it all looking new!

 

Thank you for your suggestions, is there ways in which I can determine the efficienty of a speaker, is there some component or something I can read in a products spec, for example, that can show its effieciency if wattage isn't all there is too it?

[back_ache]

The volume/sound-pressure a speaker can create is measured logarithmically in decibels (dB for short)

 

I can't find the words to explain logarithms (my maths is not great) but if you look at the link below, you'll notice that once you are dealing with things that are "loud" just a few decibels more, is a lot louder

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_pressur...pressure_levels

[Stan Hope-Streeter]

... once you are dealing with things that are "loud" just a few decibels more, is a lot louder ...

 

No.

 

"10dB ( that's 1 Bel) more" sounds twice as loud - whether you are dealing with things that are quiet, loud, or inbetween.

 

And "just a few dB more" sounds "a bit louder", again regardless of what level you start from.

 

----------------

 

 

For an acoustic performance you are looking for sound reinforcement that will not make you sound "amplified". This implies high quality is more important than high power.

 

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing your budget, but you need to see and hear a few systems in use by other acts in your genre before deciding what will work for you.

[KidRay]

I've been impressed with the RCF ART 310A for a line up with acoustic guitar and 2 vocals. The mixing desk was an Allen & Heath ZED 12-FX, a good quality small mixer with built in effects.

 

This may or may not be suitable for your needs...

 

Think about your budget, what the majority of gigs are likely to be (no point getting a system that will fill a 500 seat venue when you're doing mostly pubs and churches), how you are transporting the equipment (does it need to be small and light?).

 

Remember you can always hire in extra gear for an unusually large gig.

 

See if you can find a dealer with a decent range in stock for you to demo or, even better, find one who will lend (or hire) you the system(s) so you can test it at a real gig.

 

If you update your profile with your location you might get some recommendations of good dealers in your area.

[smalljoshua]

They system that KidRay suggests is a good solution. I've used a similar system for acoustic gigs before and they sound good.

 

Josh

[Dolomite]

All good advice here and definitely the way to go.

 

My personal recommendations would be either the RCF ART 310A or 322A or possibly if the budget will allow the RCF TT08A or 22A or KV2's EX10's - for speakers.

 

As far as mixers go though, as someone who was selling a lot of small mixers on behalf of a local (and online) supplier until recently, I tried lots of combinations for demo purposes and know the varying amounts of returns that come through a supplier and can from every aspect recommend the Yamaha range, something like the small MG or MW range, more than adequate and clean sounding and reliable too.

[Performer001]

Thanks alot for all the advice.

 

I will try out as much of the recommended gear as I can. I think hiring will be a good way to go for now until I really know and can hear what I want.

[KidRay]

Professional Music Technology (PMT) have a Birmingham store and carry a lot of stock including RCF, EV, QSC, Yamaha, JBL, LD Systems, etc.

 

I'm in the process of buying some RCF gear from their Manchester store, I'm impressed so far, they have quoted just under Thomann's prices and said they're happy to "shuffle boxes" until I'm happy with the set up.